Local celeb – Zandie Khumalo
ZANDIE KHUMALO, 26 ,is making her mark in the music industry. She chats about finding her own voice, growth and future endeavours.
Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, singer Zandie Khumalo has finally stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist. For years she’s been known as just Zandie, singer Kelly Khumalo’s little sister. She’s always been the one accompanying her celebrity sibling on red carpet and media events, but that’s slowly changing. She’s no longer the plus one to her sister’s invites, she’s now the one needing a plus one.
Zandie has emerged from her sister’s big shadow, for whom she has also worked as backing vocalist, dancer, manager and even stylist, to make her own mark. She’s even dropping her debut album, Izikhali ZaMantungwa this month.
She says her album is her way of paying homage to her ancestors who’ve carried her all these years, thus the title having her clan name, Mntungwa. She explains: “I wanted the album to reflect on how far we’ve come as a family.” Her first singles Themba and Bittersweet, released last year and in 2016, were well received by fans and also received airplay on major radio stations like Metro and Ukhozi FM.
Towards the end of 2017 Zandie inked a global record deal with Warner Music South Africa. “It’s awesome being with Warner, I’m happy, the people there are amazing. So much work has been done towards my brand in such a short space of time,” the songstress says. In fact, under her new home, she dropped yet another well-received track last year titled Nangu Makoti, a tribute to the union between a man and a woman. It’s a tune guaranteed to blare out at weddings across the country for many years to come.
Zandie, who is also an accomplished songwriter, writes her own material. She co-wrote Nangu Makoti with renowned producer and songwriter Mojalefa “Mjakes” Thebe, who’s penned and produced songs for the likes of Zahara. Zandie then worked with producers, Lindani Gumede and Scelo Gowane on her album.
THE ROAD TRAVELLED
Although she’s proven her pedigree with velvet-smooth vocals, Zandie says music was never something she thought she’d pursue, and for a long time it remained a secret dream of hers.
“Growing up I wanted to become a neuro-surgeon, and I’d still want to study it. Maybe someday I will,” she laughs. “I was an A-student at school and got good grades, I even made head-girl at Goede Hoop Primary School in Reiger Park. After matric I studied marketing at the Ekhuruleni branch of Varsity College. The skills I gained from those studies are now assisting in building my budding brand. I’m not really the party girl everyone assumes I am. I go to events here and there and often enjoy being indoors with a book.”
FINDING HER VOICE
Zandie’s solo career wasn’t necessarily planned out. Her husband Hloni Gumede, who is also in the music business, didn’t know she could sing until he heard her sing around the house. He insisted she promptly get to studio and record some songs. From this came her debut single Themba, which was a beautiful mishap. Themba received extensive radio airplay after being played at Zandie and Hloni’s wedding in 2016, and that’s how her music career kicked off. The song went viral and Bittersweet, another love jam, was an appropriate follow up. Zandie says love is a central theme of her songs. “My music generally talks about love. I love love, as it’s the one thing I know and feel best.”
HER OWN LOVE STORY
The songstress tied the knot with hubby Hloni in October 2016 in a much-publicised traditional wedding ceremony held in Mgangeni, KwaZulu Natal. Photos from the event circulated on social media and the local press. She’s tight-lipped about her yearlong marriage and all she’s willing to say is that she’s “very happy.” Her tip for a lasting relationship is: “Communication is key and a major principle in keeping a marriage working.” She shares that the beauty of married life is having a lifetime partner, friend, someone to talk to and, lastly, enjoying the sense of belonging that comes with it.
RECEPTION BY SUPPORTERS
How does she feel about fans taking so well to her music? “It’s heartwarming. I’m very happy, in fact I didn’t even expect this much love. People now recognise and identify me by my work, which is confirmation that I’m doing something right.”
Zandie reveals that at first she was intimidated, and feared she’d always be compared to big sister Kelly. She admits that Kelly has raised the bar high, while she’s just starting out as a musician. “I think it’d be really unfair for people to compare our talents. I’d like to believe I’m just as talented. I’m trying to figure myself out and what I can do with my music.”
It’s undeniable that sisters will always be compared and it’s unfortunate that it’s the younger siblings who have to work much harder to carve out their own separate identities. With Zandie, it doesn’t help that she and Kelly look alike. They even speak the same! Yet, it’s safe to say she’s successfully carving out her own path in the Afro-soul genre and receiving much-deserved attention. “I’m used to the comparisons and to be honest, it doesn’t bother me too much because Kelly is my sister. Our bond is unmatched. That’s my dog!”
INDUSTRY PRESSURE
Even though still a newbie on the music scene, Zandie’s experience of the entertainment industry, through working wiht Kelly, spans over 12 years. She understands music isn’t as easy as people may think. “Much work and effort goes into everything to get a positive reaction from fans,” she says.
She ignores negative comments and doesn’t pressurise herself to portray a certain image to score more fans. “I see ‘It girls’ on social media but my thing is, the more comfortable I am, the better. I don’t force myself to be sexy, that’s not an issue for me. When you’re content with yourself, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing.”
Life’s a far cry from her days singing in the church youth choir with Kelly. In 2004, they both entered SABC 1’s Crux Gospel Star competition. Zandie came seventh while Kelly made it into the top three.
With her own career on the rise, the songstress dreams of sharing a stage with her idol Beyoncé and to have a massive one woman show. Her advice to budding musos? “Be yourself. Offer something new. Add your flavour to the industry.”
My music generally talks about love. I love love, as it’s the one thing I know and feel best.